by Zaheer Cassim and Janelle Dumalaon, USA TODAY

by Zaheer Cassim and Janelle Dumalaon, USA TODAY

JOHANNESBURG â?? Insufficient efforts to combat widespread illegal South Africa mining led to accidents such as the weekend incident that's trapped about 200 men in an abandoned gold mine, analysts say.

"The government leaves it mainly to the mining companies to prevent and minimize illegal mining," said Dirk Bakker, senior lecturer at the School of Mining Engineering of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. "It is only when there are accidents that rescue organizations and local authorities get involved."

Dozens of miners remained in the mine shaft Monday, which became blocked by boulders over the weekend. They're refusing to emerge following the rescue of 22 of their fellow miners Sunday. The 22 were treated medically, then arrested. Police are investigating allegations that the men were initially trapped by rival illegal miners who pushed boulders into the mine shaft.

Fearing arrest, the rest remain underground in the mine, near the town of Benoni on the outskirts of Johannesburg. So far, they are refusing to climb a ladder thrown down to them following the clearing of an entrance way. An unnamed rescue miner was sent down the mine shaft to persuade them to give themselves up, according to the South African Mail & Guardian.

Their plight underscores the South African government's lack of proactive strategy to deal with the burgeoning illegal mining problem, analysts say.

South Africa is the world's fifth-largest gold producer and a leader in platinum production. Illegal mining damages the country because it promotes crime and criminal syndicates, said Peter Major, a mining specialist at South Africa-based financial services group Cadiz. Illegal mining also threatens miners and security guards at the mines, which are also made unsafe by illegal workers. "Illegal mining usually damages mines (put) on standby considerably," he said. "No one can open them again."

While mining accidents make headlines, "illegal mining" covers a broader spectrum than hunting for gold in abandoned mines. South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources estimated in 2008 that illegal mining caused more than $500 million in annual losses.

"First of all, you get what is stolen from existing operations, right under the noses of workers and managers â?? gold theft," he said. "There are syndicates doing that. This is (skimming off) about 5% to 10% of legal production."

Gold is sought in abandoned mines, or stolen by employees from established mining operations who "work for themselves," as Major puts it. It is also up to 10% of legal production.

"Illegal mining is affecting the South African economy," Bakker said. "Although not yet a threat to the economy of South Africa, the effect is being felt by mine reserves being (spoiled) for legal mining."

Authorities, meanwhile, have dropped warnings in four languages down the hole to say the entrance will be sealed March 3. The notice says anyone found using the hole to enter or carry on illegal mining activities will be arrested.